6 Medieval Taverns Still Pouring Ales Today

In Europe, many breweries aren’t just a place to grab a drink — they’re living pieces of history. They transport us to a time when beer was safer to drink than water and when smugglers, bards, and noblemen alike gathered at the local tavern for some warm food and ale. Featuring original cellars, hidden passageways, and even rumors of a haunting or two, here are six medieval taverns where you can still belly up to the bar today.

Brazen Head – Dublin, Ireland

Dating back to 1198, Brazen Head is one of the oldest pubs in Ireland and a fixture on Dublin’s Bridge Street. The pub is situated next to the River Liffey, in the same part of the city where Dublin’s original settlement formed. Interestingly, Dublin’s Gaelic name, which translates to “The Town of the Ford of the Reed Hurdles,” originated from the reeds that were positioned on the Liffey’s riverbed to allow travelers to cross at low tide. One can only guess that many were crossing the river for a much-needed pint at Brazen Head. Although it no longer operates as a hostelry or coaching inn as it once did, today’s guests can still enjoy several Irish ales served along traditional pub fare.

Sean’s Bar – Athelone, Ireland

With records dating back to 900 CE, Sean’s Bar is the oldest pub in Ireland, as recognized by Guinness World Records. A man named Luain built an inn near a ford on the River Shannon, with the establishment serving as a guide for travelers who needed to cross the river. As the settlement grew around this area, it became known as Áth Luain, which eventually turned into present-day Athelone. 

The pub’s original walls were made using the traditional “wattle and wicker” construction method, involving a lattice of wooden strips woven together with a sticky material. Minted coins from former landlords have even been discovered within its folds. Today, Ireland’s oldest bar is known for distilling its own whiskey, complete with a daily historic talk on the region’s favorite spirit.

The Royal Standard of England – Forty Green, England

With origins as a Saxon alehouse, the Royal Standard of England dates back over 900 years to 1213, making it the oldest pub in England. At the time, the Saxons used the present-day site of the Royal Standard to brew beer, mostly because there was a healthy water supply in this location. When the ale was ready for consumption, alewives would alert the townsfolk by placing a green bush on a pole. At the time, beer was the preferred beverage because the brewing process killed pathogens that might be present in untreated water. 

Over the centuries, the alehouse continued to grow. It became the Ship Inn in the 13th century before taking on its current name in 1663. With the building’s age come rumors of ghosts, with some guests hearing the sounds of a distant drum beating — supposedly the ghost of a drummer boy killed in 1643.

White Hart Inn – Edinburgh, Scotland

The earliest written records for the White Hart Inn date back to 1516, but only the cellar survives from this time. The inn has roots to medieval times, however, as the legend behind the inn’s name originated around 1128, after King David I allegedly saw a fiery cross between the antlers of a white stag. He then built Holyrood Abbey as a shrine for the creature, the ruins of which still stand in Edinburgh today. 

In its early days, the White Hart Inn was located near the city’s local execution site, which often drew crowds and made the tavern a popular gathering place. Over the years, many famous individuals crossed its threshold, including the poet Robert Burns and the notorious body snatchers William Burke and William Hare, who were regular patrons before being caught in 1829.

Hofbräuhaus – Munich, Germany

Granted, it was established a bit after the Middle Ages, but the legendary Hofbräuhaus is one of many reasons that beer is so beloved in Germany. During the 16th century, beer was an expensive import and not often enjoyed locally. In 1589, Duke Wilhelm V established this Munich brewery to lower expenditures and make beer more affordable for members of the court. 

As it gained popularity with the public, historical figures were known to spend time downing the tavern’s trademark tankards, including Amadeus Mozart himself. Today, Hofbräuhaus remains one of the most popular places in Munich to drink beer and eat traditional Bavarian food.

The Mermaid Inn – Sussex, England

Though it was originally founded in 1156, the Mermaid Inn had to be rebuilt in 1420 after French raiders destroyed the property. Since then, it’s been home to centuries of history. The inn was the former haunt of the Hawkhurst Gang, a group of notorious British smugglers, and it features several secret passageways, including a hidden panel behind a bookcase that was used to hide priests during religious persecution. 

Throughout the years, many guests have reported paranormal activity at the Mermaid Inn, including hearing phantom footsteps, sensing cold spots, and seeing a mysterious woman in white in Room 1. Many paranormal reports also come from the Giant’s Fireplace Bar, the inn’s cozy, historic pub.